Film Filter: Off - Sharknado

Sharknado TV-14 (2013)


Ian Ziering, Tara Reid, John Heard

Film Filter: On- When a hurricane off the coast of California gets severe, flooding in Los Angeles results in highly aggressive sharks swimming around the city wreaking havoc.  If that's not bad enough, several tornados emerge over the Pacific Ocean, threatening to dispense the rage-filled sharks onto dry land to cause mayhem.
Things to note: Illogical scenarios, terrible acting, huge gaps in story, incorrect information presented, really poor character development and interactions, many scene inconsistencies.

You'll like this movie if you enjoy:

Highly illogical creature features, like Megashark vs. Crocosaurus, 

or shark thrillers like Open Water or Deep Blue Sea

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Film Filter: Off - Paranormal Activity 3

Paranormal Activity 3 R (2011)


Chloe Csengery, Jessica Tyler Brown, Christopher Nicholas Smith

Film Filter: On- As a prequel to the prequel (?) this film showcases Katie and Krista as children.  Living with their mother and her boyfriend, Dennis, the two girls start experiencing strange occurrences with Krista's so-called "imaginary" friend, Toby.  After witnessing something inexplicable, Dennis resides to using his videographer skills to set up cameras in the house.  After several nights of documentation, the family has to face the choice of dealing with the situation head on, or trying to escape.  Will relocation alone rid them of their demons?
Things to note: Very slow paced, pretty similar to the first two films, answers some questions and fills in some holes left in the first two films, climactic moments resulting in anticlimactic action.

You'll like this movie if you enjoy:

Paranormal Activity, or Paranormal Activity 2, or 

Paranormal Activity 4, or Paranormal Activity: The Marked Ones.  

Or Paranormal Activity 6 because let's face it, it will happen.

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Film Filter: Off - The Ninth Gate

The Ninth Gate R (1999)



Johnny Depp, Frank Langella, Lena Olin

Film Filter: On- A man, Corso, who deals with rare books gets propositioned to travel to Europe in search of two duplicates one of his clients is after to authenticate.  As Corso gets deeper into the investigation of the rare Satanic book, he discovers that he is not the only one in search of the books and the knowledge that comes with them.  As people Corso encounters start dying, he and his ally must make a choice as to how deep they really want to get into this investigation.
Things to note: Decent cast, interesting story, long movie (over two hours), solid pacing that doesn't drag, unique ending, terrible fight scenes, really awful musical selections in scenes.

You'll like this film if you enjoy:

Devil worshipping thrillers, like End of Days, or The Prophecy

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Corri's Gory Awards: 2013

Hello again!

2013 was a pretty tough year for my blogging endeavors.  After taking a four month hiatus, and missing the month of September, I really didn't get as much done as I had hoped.  Let's hope that 2014 brings a much brighter future for Film Filter: Off.  Enjoy my sparse review of the anti-climactic 2013!

2013: In Review

Most fun movie to review: Hansel & Gretel: Witch Hunters
"Lastly, they took a well known story and innovated it brilliantly.  Perhaps there were nuances that were not preferred by some audiences, but it can't be denied that the strategy of taking a fairy tale classic and retelling it with the victims as badass heroes is a unique, and fun take to witness on-screen."

Least fun movie to review: Zodiac
 "Although there are elements that are present in the movie that appear to be of this genre [horror], it's really more of a murder-mystery/thriller.  For those that are looking for a scary movie, don't push play.  If you're looking for something thought provoking, it might be more up your alley."

Biggest surprise, for the better: House at the End of the Street
"In terms of the plot, I thought it was almost flawlessly executed.  The ability of the movie to portray Tyler and Carrie Anne as the antagonists, with Elissa and Ryan as the protagonists worked beautifully."

Biggest surprise, for the worse: World War Z
"Lastly, and most annoyingly so, this movie is about an 86% rip off of I Am Legend.  Now, before you jump down my throat by saying, "Well Corri, World War Z was a 2006 novel that came out before the movie AND before I Am Legend which wasn't released until 2007."  Yes, this is true, but I Am Legend was ALSO a book, and was written in 1954, so, boo yah. "

Goriest: Evil Dead
"One of the things this movie does well that separates itself from the pack is its ability to show the un-showable.  Some movies go there, but the vast majority leave you with the individual parts to piece together the grotesque moment ahead, and let your imagination fill in the gaps.  This film does not, it's pretty much all right there on the table for you to see.  The jury's still out on if it made the film better, but the movie certainly gets points for being ballsy."

Scariest: The Conjuring
"...I can't say I have screamed out loud in a theater so many times since The Woman In Black.  This film has some great uses with pop-out moments, that really scare the bejeezus out of you!  I had successfully shrieked, flailed, spilled, soda, and kicked the poor person in front of me by the time the movie had ended."

Most thought provoking: The Last Will and Testament of Rosalind Leigh
 "I feel like the staple of a quality movie is one that makes you think, and this one sometimes seems like it does nothing but that.  Taken to an extreme degree, which this movie may have done, this idea becomes a downer for movies trying to seem "too intellectual", but it is so refreshing to see something unique and different with films that one can almost overlook it.  Almost."

Worst all around: Red State
"I would be lying if I said that this was not a frustrating film to watch.  As previously mentioned, this movie breaks the standard formula, and as a result kills off some characters that shouldn't die, and prolongs the life of those that should."

Best all around: The Conjuring
"It never hurts to have a scary movie that is "based on a true story", and this one seems to be a bit more legit than the rest.  I would encourage anyone who has seen this film to visit Ed and Lorraine Warren's website to get some deeper information regarding some of the tales found in the film."

Again, my apologies for my lack of blogging last year.  Hopefully I can keep up in 2014!

Horrifically yours,

Corri